MDOT director to lawmakers: “How many people should die” before roads are fixed?

michigan.gov

January 21, 2014 | MPRN
Lawmakers say Michigan voters are not
ready to accept a tax or fee increase to boost road funding by more than a
billion dollars a year. Some say the roads may have to get worse before they
can get better.

MDOT
Director Kirk Steudle rejects that attitude.

“Are they
suggesting that a bridge fall down? Did they suggest how many people should
die?”

Steudle
and interest groups supporting increased road funding unveiled a report that
suggests bad roads are costing Michigan drivers billions of dollars each year.
That includes money for vehicle repairs, lost time stuck in traffic, and
medical bills.